Tanning apparatus.



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TANNING' APPARATUS.

(Application filed Nov. 14. 18994) (No Model.) 3 sheets-Sheet 2 .C 3.2 72 .5- 7L o o o o W l lj Il@ s A f A A 0 3-1.1. o Z0 l? u; i 7? el C O D D 9 G D C o n e c 1c c c c c C e l! c 0 5 C E B D C C C U G e B 'v c o c c o n o :a e

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z'omeys No. 056,063: Patented Aug. |4`, |900.

A. E, v|0AL. Y TANNING APPARATUS.

3 Sheetsl-Sheet 3 (Application filed Nov. 14, 1899.) N 0 M 0 d e l /NVENTOR .M

P VJTNESSES;Y K@ @Vy/fm 7M PETERS oo.. PHuraLxT ADOLPI-I EDWARD VIDAL, OF LONDON', ENGLAND.

TANNINGAPPARATUS.

I i SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 656,063, dated August 14, 1900.

v Application iledllovemberll, 1899. Serial No. 736,990. (No model.)

To all. whom. t may concern:v

Beitknown that LADOLPH EDWARD VIDAL,

asubject of the Queen ofGreat Britain and Ireland, residing at 2O Central HilLNorwood,

London, England, have invented Improvetanning hides and skins. Vv.These methods may be roughly classedunder'tvt-'o headschemical, in which the well-known oak-bark was wholly or partially dispensed with and replaced by some other chemical or combination of chemicals, and mechanical, in which the oak-bark wasstill employed as the tanning agent, butby the use of various mechanical devices, such as forcing the tan liquor through the hide by pressure, it was sought to accelerate the changes taking place in the hide. f

My present invention relates to improvements in mechanical methods of tanning, more particularly to frames or gripping devices between which the hides are gripped in order that the tan liquor may be introduced into the space between a folded hide or between hides, so that it may percolate through the pores of the hide, and thus expeditetheprocess of tanning.

With frames hitherto constructed for the above purpose Various disadvantages have been encountered, the chiefon'e being that owing to the frames beingl made with'strips between which the hides were gripped,'form` to accommodate different-sized hides or butts, y

or to make the frames of a comparativelysmall size, which caused considerable waste when a large butt was tanned. Another devhide clamped together.

:feet was that the hi'de'being unsupported in close proximity to the gripping-strips tended Ito stretch and lose its shape around the edges.

To obviate'the above-mentioned defects is the purpose of my present invention.

In order to more fully describe my said invention, reference will be iirst had to the accompanyin g drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows an elevation of one of the frames which I propose to employ. Fig. 2 shows an end view of same. Fig. 3 represents a transverse section on the line 1 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a similar section of two frames lclamped together containing a hide or skin. Fig. 5 is an edge view. jsent longitudinal sections on the line A B, the

latter view showing two frames containing a Fig. 8 is a detail view of the means of clamping two frames together. Fig. 9 shows another form of the gripping-pieces. Fig. 10 is a transverse section of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 represents a section showing the grooved and perforated back board. Fig. 12 shows a method of clamping together a series of frames. Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view on the line C D of Fig. 9, showing the gripping edges in detail. Fig. 14 shows another form 'of my invention, being a longitudinal view, partly in section. Fig. 15 is a side elevation of a portion of the same containingv a hide ready to be tanned. Fig. 16 is a transverse section on the line E F of Fig. 14.. Fig. 17 is an end view of one of the devices for gripping a hide upon the end pieces, and Fig. 18 is a fragmentary View showing the position assumed when clamped by the clamping devices.

Referring first to the form of myinvention shown in Figs. 1 to 8, in these viewsfrepresents the back boards, which are here shown as being grooved. The purpose of these back boards is to prevent the sagging of the hides while being tanned. Supporting these back boards are the cross-pieces e, running cross- Wise of the frame. Upon three sides of the said frame beveled strips c are provided, these strips being also grooved. Surrounding the outer edge and projecting above the said grooved' strips 'c are the gripping-pieces b, which are preferably made of brass or other acid-resisting material. h represents lugs at one end of the frame, through which Figs. G and 7 repre-v IOC bolts g are adapted to pass when the frame is secured together. 'L' represents holes through the gripping-pieces on one side of the frame, through which the pipes 7c are adapted to pass for supplying liquor to the inside of the hide when the latter is in position in the frame.

The frames above described are made in pairs in such a manner that when they are superposed the gripping-pieces coincide with one another.

IVith apparatus constructed as above I proceed as follows: The hides having been prepared in the usual way for the process of tanning, the butt is cut out and folded in, half lengthwise. Its edges are then gripped betweenapair of frames, as shownin Fig. 4, and these frames are bolted together, so that the pipes 7c enter between the folded butt. Tan liquoris supplied to oneof thepipes 7s from any suitable source of supply that is capable of maintaining a uniform flow, so that the pressure may be constant throughout the tanning operation. I prefer that the pressure shall be slight, as excessive pressure has been found in practice to produce bad leather. On commencing the operation the air-tube is opened and liquor is allowed to enter the bag formed by the folded butt until it is entirely filled, when the air-tube is closed and the lateral pressure causes the liquor to percolate through the pores of the hide.

I prefer to immerse the frames in tan liquor during the process of tanning. In this case the back boards f should be perforated, as shown in Fig.' 1l. Care should be taken that the internal pressure is always in excess of the external pressure, so that the liquid will pei-colate through the pores of the hide from the inside.

In order to make the frames suitable for various-sized butts, I may make either or both of their ends adjustable.

It has been found preferable to corrugate the surfaces of the beveled portions of the pieces c, or in some cases I may fasten thin corrugated brass or other metal not attacked by tannic acid upon bevels with smooth surfaces.

The back boardsf maybe formed of wood, metal, or other suitable material, grooved or corrugated. i Instead of employing the back boardsfI may have a backing composed of a material (preferably textile) such as canvas stretched tightly on the frames.

Referring now to the form shown in Figs. 9 to 13, m m show the gripping-pieces for gripping a folded hide or butt. It will be seen that the gripping-piece for the tail is shaped to the contour of the tail end of the butt when folded. The said gripping-pieces may be made of metal, wood, glass, or any other suitable material. The inner surfaces of the gripping-pieces m are beveled and grooved, so as to allow the liquor to percolate through the portions of the hide or butt corning in contact with these surfaces. n shows lugs formed on the pieces m m, provided with holes for bolting the two sets of grippingpieces together when the folded hide or butt is between them. o shows semicircular depressions in the pieces m, so placed that when the two pieces m are superposed, with the hide or butt between them, a pipe, such as shown in Fig. 4f, may be passed through, so as to come in between the folded butt or hide, a similar pipe being provided for the other hole for the exit of air. i' shows back boards, which may be similar to those described in connection with Figs. l to S. In using this apparatus the hide is first prepared in the ordinary way for tanning, the oifal is cut off, and the remaining butt is folded over lengthwise. The edges are then gripped between the pieces m m. This is effected by placing the pieces in position, one set under the folded butt and the other set over it, so that the edges are gripped between the gripping-pieces m m, which are then bolted together tightly. The whole is then suspended in a tank or pit between two of the grooved boards rr, as shown in Fig. 9. A pipe is then passed through the hole o and is connected with the suitable source of supply, and the operation is the same as in the preceding case. In Fig. 1l the boards r are perforated as well as grooved, so that when the tank or pit u is supplied with tan liquor this liquor will come in Contact with the outside of the folded hide. The internal pressure should be in excess of the pressure exerted upon the hide from the liquor in the tank, as in the preceding instance. The boards r are held in position by blocks w in such a way that the grooved surfaces may come next to the butts. The liquor which percolates through passes down the grooves and out through the perforations. During the process of tanning the butts should be taken out in order to examine them and clean out any refuse that may have accumulated. Hides by this process may be tanned in from two to four weeks, according to their thickness.

Although I have stated that the hides or butts are doubled over lengthwise, it is obvious that two open hides or butts may be superposed and gripped between suitablyshaped frames or gripping-pieces; but I prefer to double the hides or butts, so as to economize space and facilitate handling.

According to the form of apparatus shown in Figs. 14C to 18 the process of tanning is precisely the same as that already described; but the gripping-pieces are of circular form, so that when the butt is in position it forms a dru m through which the liquor percolates into a tank or pit containing tanning liquor. According to this form of my invention a shaft l is mounted in the tank 2. This shaft carries two disks or drum-heads 3 and 4, one of which, 3, is fixed and the other, 4, loose upon the shaft. These drum-heads are connected together by telescopio rods 5. The position of the drum-head 4t upon the shaft 1 is regu- IOO IIO

lated by the nut 6, which screws upon the said shaft. Each of these drum-heads 3 and 4 is formed with a gripping edge 7 around it. The gripping edge 7 on the drum-head 4 is curved to suit the shape of the tail end of the butt. The shaft 1 is hollow and provided with outlets 8, so thatliquor maybe supplied to the drum. 9 shows a spur-Wheel attached to the drum-head 3, by means of which the drum may be rotated from a counter-shaft 10. Figs. 13 and 15 show a ring in two halves to f1t over the drum-head 4 and grip the hide onto the gripping edge 7. A similar ring fits over the drum-head 3. 11, Figs. 15 and 17, shows gri pping-bars for the side edges of the hide. l2 represents a hollow cylinder, the function of which is to effect an equal distribution of liquor throughout the entire drum formed by the hide with lessliquor than would otherwise be required. The mode of operation of this device is as follows: The hides having been prepared for tanning, the offal may be cut olf and the butt hung on the rods 5. Thesideedgesofthebuttarethengripped between the pieces 11,and the rings 10 are bolted around the disks 3 and 4, so that the two ends are gripped tightly andadrum is formed bythe butt. Liquor is then admitted through the shaft 1. Around the drum formed by the butt I propose to fix a covering of wire-gauze or other suitable material, so as to prevent stretching. This wire gauze is shown attached to the frame containing a but-t in Fig. 18 and is indicated by 13.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-- 1. In an apparatus for tanning, a grippingframe composed of parts which may be adjusted relatively to each other, one of said parts being provided with a gripping edge adapted to conform to the shape of the tail end of the hide, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus for tanning, the combination of a vat, and a gripping-frame supported therein, said frame being composed of parts which may be adjusted relatively to each other, one of said parts being provided Witha gripping edge shaped to con form to the shape of the tail end of the hide, whereby hides of different sizes may be secured in said frame, substantially as described.

3. In an apparatus for tanning, a cylindrical gripping-frame, said frame being provided with closed ends, one of which is shaped to conform to the shape of the tail end of the hide, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus for tanning, the combination of a support, a cylindrical grippingframe mounted thereon,the ends of said frame being adjustable relatively to each other, substantially as described.

5. In an apparatus for tanning, the combination of a supporting-shaft, a cylindrical gripping-frame mounted on said shaft, one of the ends thereof being adjustable and shaped to conform to the shape of the tail end of the hide, and means for supplying tanning liquor to the interior of said frame, substantially as described.

6. In an apparatus for tanning, the combination of a hollow shaft provided with openings and a cylindrical gripping-frame mounts edv on said shaft, substantially as described.

7. In an apparatus for tanning, the combination of a hollow shaft, a cylindrical gripping-frame mounted on said shaft, one of the ends of said frame being adjustable in relation to the other, substantially as described. S. In an apparatus for tanning, the combination of a hollow shaft provided with openings, a cylindrical gripping-frame mounted on said shaft, one' of the ends of said frame being adjustable and provided with telescoping tubes connecting said ends, substantially as described.

. 9. In an apparatus for tanning, the combination of atank, a hollow shaft provided with v 

